Heavy weighs the crown

After four decades, 'Cabbage King' Lowell Stolzfus retires

9:21 PM,
Feb. 2, 2013

Lowell Stoltzfus, the nation's 'Cabbage King,' is closing the doors of the business he has operated since 1975 in Rehobeth. For decades, Stoltzfus was the top grower of cabbage plants from seeds in the nation, annually producing millions of plants for farmers.

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After almost 40 years as the nation's undisputed "Cabbage King," Lowell Stoltzfus has ended his reign.

During the past few decades, he has grown millions and millions of cabbage plants and 40 varieties from seeds on his farm here. When his late father, Roy, decided to get out of the cabbage business in 1975, Lowell, just 25, stepped in to take charge of the operation. He was teaching English and music at Pocomoke High School at the time.

"He emotionally couldn't take the stress anymore. He asked me if I wanted it, and I said no. I believe in prayer, and I prayed a while about it, and one night, I woke up ...